Strawberry Explosion

Strawberries must be my absolute favorite fruit! I love just about anything that has strawberries in it or that is strawberry-flavored!

Recently, Mom Central teamed up with the California Strawberry Commission to spread the word about all the wonderful benefits of strawberries, plus fun strawberry facts to share with your kids, and fun interactive games to play on the Web at Strawberryville.com.

Did you know that California growers pick about 6 million crates of strawberries each week to ship to grocery stores nationwide? So, what do we do with these wonderful strawberries?

Take advantage of the hundreds of strawberry recipes that can be found here. Whether you enjoy strawberry shortcake, strawberry drinks, desserts, or strawberry salads (my favorite is the strawberry chicken salad), the California Strawberry Commission has hundreds of recipes absolutely free for you and your family to enjoy.

Not only are strawberries the most delicious fruit out there (in my opinion), but they also have numerous health benefits. Here are just a few things that moms should know:

• Strawberries contain powerful antioxidants.
• One serving of strawberries contains more vitamin C than one orange.
• Strawberries help fight some types of cancer, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Strawberries aid in memory function, and help prevent Alzheimer’s.
• Strawberries decrease stress and inflammation.

If your kids are picky eaters (like mine), you can find a way to serve them strawberries by trying one of the many recipes found on CSC’s Web site. In addition, they also have a lot of fun strawberry facts to share with your kids. Increasing their knowledge of strawberries will make eating them more fun!

Here are a few fun facts to share:

• If you lined up all of the strawberries grown in California in one straight line, they would wrap around the Earth 15 times.
• There are about 200 seeds on the outside of each strawberry.
• California harvests over a billion pounds of strawberries each year.
• One acre of land (about the size of one football field) grows about 50,000 pounds of strawberries - that's the same weight as 4 elephants!

Visit http://www.strawberryville.com/ today for more fun facts and fun strawberry games. For more information and recipes, visit http://www.calstrawberry.com/.

Beaches WonderFall Celebration

Mom Central just teamed up with the Beaches Resort to spread the word about their WonderFall celebration, and I am here to help! I'm taking part in the WonderFall Blog Tour to tell you about Beaches new special event (and to hopefully win a trip myself). How many times have heard me say, “Dude! I need a vacation!”?

Many people think of taking vacations at Beaches Family resort during those peak summer months when they are super busy. This year, Beaches is promoting their WonderFall celebration for the months of September and October to help families realize that you can enjoy Beaches the entire year round! Plus, if you choose to book a trip during the off-peak months of September and October (the WonderFall months), you get to enjoy wonderful savings!

Beaches sounds awesome if you are looking for that perfect family getaway. They have four all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. The best part is that all of the important things are included in the family vacation packages. It’s much easier to stay within your budget when you are not nickel and dimed to death with hidden expenses. Even airport transfers, hotel taxes and gratuities are included in your package!

Enjoy gourmet meals and snacks, tennis, golf, snorkeling and scuba diving, plus supervised children’s activities to keep the kids happy and busy while mom and dad relax. In the evening, you can enjoy nightly entertainment and stage shows or schedule a nanny for the kids if you need a little adult time.

Beaches has outstanding family entertainment that your children will love including The Beaches Resorts Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street where you kids will enjoy activities with their favorite Sesame Street characters. Supervised kids camps are available for children of all ages, so there is something for the entire family.

If you take advantage of Beaches’ WonderFall Celebration for the off-peak months of September and October, you get to enjoy all Beaches amenities plus you save up to 45% off published rates and get up to two nights free!! Beaches is celebrating this special WonderFall event with a great fall line-up of events and activities!

Visit Beaches Web site to learn more about their resorts and more about the WonderFall celebration!!

Scrub It Clean!

Next to ironing, I would say that cleaning the bathtub and shower are probably my least favorite chores. And I am not alone! Did you know that 23 percent of women would rather be paying bills than cleaning their bathroom? And 11 percent would rather be sitting in traffic than scrubbing the nasty shower.

I am ecstatic anytime a company comes up with something to make my life a little easier, so you can imagine how thrilled I was when Mom Central teamed up with Scrubbing Bubbles and sent me the new Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber!

The Action Scrubber is great – it’s a foam easy-grip handle that velcros to a disposable pad. Each pad contains scrubbing fibers and Scrubbing Bubbles cleaning formula. I really liked the gripper because I have joint problems in my hands and wrists, so this was much easier for me to use than a regular sponge or rag, and I was able to scrub more effectively with the Action Scrubber. You can take the pad off of the handle to clean with it by itself if you have some hard-to-reach places, but I was able to reach all parts of my tub and shower with it attached to the handle.

Honestly, I have never really used Scrubbing Bubbles cleaner, so I was thrilled to find that the action scrubber removed the ring around my tub caused by a combination of dirty children, bubble bath and bath crayons – that’s no easy task!

I will definitely buy the Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber again. It comes with four disposable pads. My only complaint is that I tried to use one pad to clean both the tub and the shower, and there wasn’t quite enough cleaner in one pad to effectively clean both. So you do need to use one pad for your tub and one pad for your shower. Given, my tub was incredibly dingy, so maybe people with a normal amount of dirt can stretch the use of one pad a little further.

Overall, this is a great product – very effective and much easier on my hands! A thumbs up from this mommy! To learn more about the new Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber, visit the Scrubbing Bubbles Web site!

Great Summer Tips from MommyDocs!

As a kid, I loved summer so much, and I still do. My kids are a lot like I was as a child, and as soon as the weather turns nice, they practically live outside whether it’s in the backyard or at the pool.

Since I have fair skin, I know a few of the dangers that can lurk in the summer sun. My husband thinks I’m crazy when it comes to summer safety, but this is a man who has never had a sunburn so bad that he blistered!

I am very happy to take part in Mom Central’s newest blog tour. Mom Central has teamed up with the Clorox Company and MommyDocs to help spread the word about some important summer safety tips that we can all use!

- Have a Sun Protection Strategy: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sunscreen with a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15. In addition, look for products that protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours (or sooner if swimming, toweling off, or sweating). Also, a wide brim hat, sun protective clothing and sunglasses with 99-100% UVA/UVB protection are also important in protecting your kids against those harmful rays.

- Keep Pests Off Your Child: My children get eaten alive when they go outside if I don’t use protection. To keep away the pesky mosquitoes and ticks, use a DEET containing insect repellant. Apply sparingly to exposed skin and/or clothing once a day (avoiding sensitive areas like eyes, mouth and backs of hands). Personally, I use the wipes – they work great for small kids! To prevent unnecessary exposure, use the lowest percentage of DEET that will last for your planned outdoor time. Never go above 30 percent or use on children under 2 months old.

- Keep the Pool Cool and Clean: Small yard pools are fun, but they can also harbor harmful germs and bacteria. To prevent unwanted germies, disinfect your pool after each use by cleaning it with a solution of ¾ cup regular bleach to one gallon of water, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Remember to be safe around pools! Always supervise your children regardless of their age when they are around water, whether it’s a bucket, a backyard pool or a community pool.

- High Heat Means Hydrate: Excessive heat exposure can cause heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke. This is more prevalent in children because their body temperature rises faster than an adult’s. Prevent prolonged exposure by taking breaks in the shade, avoid playing outside during peak sun exposure hours, and drink, drink, drink!!! Make sure your child is getting plenty of fluids before he or she becomes thirsty!

- Rid Rashes and Relieve Itchies: I have a friend who has already contracted a severe case of poison ivy this summer. Although running around barefoot and taking nature walks can be fun, remember that outdoor activities can expose your child to plants including poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac. If your child experiences an allergic reaction, ask your pediatrician about an oral antihistamine and/or a topical skin care product such as a steroid cream or calamine lotion. If the rash is extensive, looks infected or does not get better, call your doctor immediately.

Visit MommyDocs.com for more great safety tips and expert pediatric information!!
MommyDocs is a great educational site that features practical pediatric information for moms by moms (who also happen to be doctors). MommyDocs features a podcast, informational blog, videos, Q&A’s, and informative articles that give you access to expert medical information with the click of a mouse.

Lock It Up!

If you read my blog regularly, you probably read about the ton of locks I received from Schlage. Now that UPS has come and gone, taking all the extra boxes away, I can enjoy the one remaining lock.

Remember, I am the woman who locked herself out of the house twice in one week last year, so when I heard about a new electronic lock that doesn’t require keys, I jumped at the chance to try it out! If you have lived in your house for a few years, you know how many keys to your home end up floating around. Just off the top of my head, I can think of five different people who have access to our house.

With the Schlage lock, you don’t have to worry about how many people have access to your home because you control it. We received the electronic deadbolt for our front door, but you can also get an electronic lock for the interior of your house. Each lock has an electronic keypad, on which you program a 4-digit code to gain access. You don’t even have to carry a house key anymore!

The best part is that you can program up to 19 codes into the keypad, and you can deactivate codes if you don’t want a certain person to have access to your home anymore. You can have separate codes for you, your spouse, your kids, guests, family members, nannies, service providers, etc. Then, if you decide the plumber doesn’t need access to your house after one visit or you discover your nanny is secretly evil, simply deactivate their codes.

Like I said, I have the new lock on the front door, and I love it! It comes ready to use, and it is fairly simple to install (and I’m not that handy). There are so many benefits to the electronic lock, and it’s nice not to have to worry about locking myself out of the house anymore or having to keep a spare key under a fake rock on the front porch.

Visit Schlage’s Web site to read more about their new electronic locks which, in addition to being very popular with moms, are also winning awards! The locks come in several different finishes, so you can find one that goes perfectly with whichever door you choose. I really think you will love the electronic lock as much as I do!

Breathe Easy With AccuClean

Every winter, I am sooooo excited for Spring to arrive. Then when it does, and the runny noses and watery eyes begin, I wonder what the heck I was thinking.

That’s right! Everyone in our house has allergies, and they seem to be getting worse every year. Every time the kids go outside and play, Eli comes in sniffing and hacking up loogies (it’s quite disgusting . . . or impressive, depending on your perception). My husband has to mow the lawn while wearing a mask, and I pop Claritan or Zyrtec every day to try to take the edge off.

But here’s something you may not know. The air inside of your home is four to five times more polluted than outdoor air! I know – I was shocked, too. Since people spend an average of 90 percent of their time inside, this is a big concern. Did you know that asthma is the most common serious chronic illness in children and one of the top-ranking causes of hospitalization for children under the age of 15.

American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning’s AccuClean has developed a whole home air filtration system to improve your home’s indoor air quality. AccuClean can be attached to your existing furnace or air handler, so it is easy to install – not a major home installation. Once it is installed, AccuClean removes the allergens from every room in your house.

Here is the best part: AccuClean is effective! AccuClean removes 99.98 percent of ALL allergens in your home!! You can’t beat that for helping allergy and asthma sufferers! And if you spend 90 percent of your time in your house, you want it clean!

Not only does AccuClean remove 99.98 percent of allergens, it also removes 99 percent of the common flu virus, making AccuClean 100 times more effective than standard filters. In addition, AccuClean is extremely easy to clean. All you have to do is vacuum or wash the reusable filter!

I know we all struggle with cleanliness in our home, and AccuClean is a great way to keep the air in your home clean and healthy. To learn more about AccuClean Whole Home Air Filtration System, visit their Web site.

Ragu’s Fresh & Simple Pouches

As a busy mom, I am thankful for any product that saves me time and makes my life easier. When it comes to dinner, this task proves even more difficult because I have a son who rarely wants to eat. I swear, I don’t know how that child eats enough to keep the gears turning.

There is one thing that he loves to eat. That is spaghetti. I would definitely classify this as his favorite food. If there is a day where he hasn’t had enough to eat, all I have to do is make spaghetti and he will gobble it up.

One of our family’s favorite spaghetti sauces has always been Ragu. As much as I love to cook, I don’t have the time to make homemade spaghetti sauce, and with Ragu, I don’t have to. Ragu is so yummy, why bother with homemade sauce?

I was thrilled when I discovered that Ragu introduced Fresh & Simple Pouches – a great product that will save me tons of time in the kitchen. Ragu pouches are ready to serve. You simply snip off the corner and toss it in the microwave for 90 seconds. Then pour it over pasta and serve. What I do is make a batch of our favorite pasta at the beginning of the week. Then, whenever my kids are ready for a batch of yummy spaghetti, it’s ready in a flash! This is perfect for quick lunches or even the mid-afternoon whine of, “Mooooom! I’m hungry!”

Not to mention, Ragu Fresh & Simple Pouches have all-natural ingredients, plus Vitamin C, calcium, fiber and protein. You can be confident that your child is getting a healthy meal they love. And I love the ease! Heat up the sauce directly in the disposable pouch. No scrubbing pans! Woo hoo!

The big question is ‘How does it taste?’ AWESOME! My kids love the Ragu pouches, and they are very picky eaters. Ragu and Mom Central sent us two pouches to try – Tomato Basil and Tomato, Onion and Garlic, which was my favorite. (I lurve myself some garlic!)

Visit Ragu’s Web site for more information on Ragu’s new Fresh & Simple Pouches. And for those of us who love to cook, Ragu also has a downloadable cookbook! This free, downloadable recipe booklet has a bunch of great time-saving tips and meal planning suggestions for healthy meals. The booklet includes recipes and tips from the Food Network’s Robin Miller, celebrity fitness trainer Kathy Kaehler, and Mom Central’s Stacy DeBroff. You can download the booklet from http://www.feedourkidswell.com/.

Give yourself a boost with Cranenergy!

If you have read my blog in the past, you know that it is an understatement to say I’m addicted to coffee. With two small children, I feel like I am constantly sucking down the caffeine trying to keep going. In fact, if I had an IV drip of coffee that I could just push around, it would be extremely helpful.

I have really been trying to cut back on the coffee, and I have been searching for a way to keep my energy up. I was thrilled when I discovered that Ocean Spray introduced a new Cranenergy drink! I received a couple of samples in the mail last week, and as soon as they were gone, I quickly went out and bought some more.

Cranenergy comes in Cranberry Lift and Raspberry Cranberry Lift, which is my favorite. I have always been a fan of Ocean Spray juices for my kids, and now here is one that I can really enjoy. I just grab a bottle of this delicious juice in the morning. Half the time, that is my whole breakfast! Cranenergy tastes great and manages to give me a natural energy boost! How many things can you find that do that?!

Cranenergy starts with Ocean Spray’s delicious cranberry juice and then blends in natural energizers to give you a lift anytime of the day. First, green tea extract is blended with the cranberry juice – both of which have high levels of antioxidants that help the body fight free radicals and stay healthy. Plus, green tea extract offers a natural source of caffeine! Cranenergy also contains B-vitamins to support healthy energy production, and vitamin C to help boost your immune system.

And here’s the best part – Cranenergy is only 35 calories per 8 ounce serving – it’s not packed with calories like so many juices out there today!

To learn more about Ocean Spray’s new Cranenergy drink, visit Ocean Spray’s Web site. And look for Cranenergy in your grocery today. Do it! Get off the coffee and pick up a delicious, healthy energy boost!

Frosted Flakes Gold are golden!

My absolute favorite cereal when I was growing up was Frosted Flakes. I absolutely loved it! I thought they were grrrreat! :-) Of course when I was growing up, I didn’t know what whole grains were – I just like the fact that my cereal was covered in sugar! Oh, how times have changed.

I still love Frosted Flakes, and they have stepped their game up a notch so I love them even more! I recently received a sample of the new Frosted Flakes Gold cereal from Kellogg’s. Oh, YUM!!! If you are a fan of Frosted Flakes, you are going to LOVE Frosted Flakes Gold. These whole grain flakes are baked with honey!! There are 10 grams of whole grain and three grams of fiber in each serving. Dude! Who would have thought that my favorite cereal would become healthy?! Woo hoo!

I am so happy because my son has inherited my sweet tooth. When I served him a bowl of the new Frosted Flakes Gold, he absolutely loved them, and he had no idea I was serving him a cereal that is a great source of whole grains and fiber. Heh. Heh. Heh. Sneakiness is one of the main keys of being a good mom!

In addition to eating right, Kellogg’s is encouraging children to be more active – something we desperately need in the age of computer games and non-stop TV! Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes Gold has partnered with the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) to create the Five Golden Rules of Sportsmanship, which give coaches and parents the tools they need to help kids succeed on and off the field:

1. Play with a smile.
2. Be a winner no matter what the scoreboard says.
3. Show respect.
4. Be a good teammate.
5. Find good in the game.

The Five Golden Rules advocate important principals for children to achieve, and give them a guidebook to follow in practice, sports, games, or in their every day lives.

For more information about Frosted Flakes Gold, visit Kellogg’s Web site. Frosted Flakes Gold is now available in stores, so pick up a box today. You will be glad you did!

If you want to learn more about the Five Golden Rules of Sportsmanship program, visit the Frosted Flakes Web site.

Childhood is Calling!

I am reminded each and every day of how quickly my kids are growing up. It just kills me how quickly time flies, and I don’t want to miss the opportunity to make the most of every second with my children.

Rice Krispies has started a program called Operation Spark, with the goal of bringing families closer together and creating lasting memories. Through Operation Spark, Kellogg’s Rice Krispies has created a report entitled “Childhood is Calling: Celebrating Kids Just Being Kids”. The report offers expert advice and real moms’ insights on the importance of childhood and advice on ways to create family connections and experience joy with your children. “Childhood is Calling” provides parents with ways to create meaningful memories with their children.

You can access the full report by visiting http://www.childhoodiscalling.com/. Through this comprehensive Web site, you can learn more about the Operation Spark program and enjoy all the suggestions for ways in which you can have fun with your children.

I don’t know about you, but my kids love to be on the computer. I am constantly looking for online activities we can enjoy together. http://www.childhoodiscalling.com/ has fun games for pre-k and older children. Some of the games my son loves are the Paint Shop, Magic Kaleidoscope, Making Breakfast and Sketch Pad.

My kids also love to cook, and I have found lots of great recipes that are fun to make with kids on http://www.childhoodiscalling.com/. Let me tell you, I love my Rice Krispies treats, but have you tried Cocoa Krispies Marshmallow Treats? Oh, baby! Yum-o!!

And don’t forget to check out the fun stories and music available on the Web site, too!

Don’t let a moment go to waste. Checkout http://www.childhoodiscalling.com/ today to read the full report and start making memories with your family! You will be glad you did once you see all the fun activities, and so will your child.

Wild Animal Crunch – a yummy new cereal!

Cereal is one of my pleasures in life. I just love cereal, and could probably eat it for every meal. So, I was very excited when Mom Central teamed up with Kellogg’s Company to send me a box of the new Wild Animal Crunch cereal.

My kids are at the age where they are starting to get into the cereal kick, so I am constantly looking for cereals they enjoy that consist of more than a bowl of sugar.

Wild Animal Crunch cereal includes vanilla- and chocolate-flavored wholegrain puffs. Each serving of Wild Animal Crunch contains 14 grams of whole grains and more than three grams of fiber.

But, how do they taste? That’s the real question. They’re good! They are sweet, but not sugary – along the lines of a corn pop if you want to compare sweetness. My husband and I both enjoyed them for breakfast. My 2-year-old daughter also really liked them. I put some in a little baggie for her and took them to the park with us as a snack. She just munched on the Wild Animal Crunch as she would Cheerios and she seemed perfectly happy.

My 5-year-old son was another story. He doesn’t seem to get excited about any cereal that won’t rot his teeth out of his head or that doesn’t promise him a free trip to meet Hannah Montana. However, once I poured a him a bowl of Wild Animal Crunch and put it in front of him, he ate it and said he liked it even though he wasn’t jumping up and down with excitement.

My son was more interested in the box! Each box provides animal games and fun facts to teach children how animals survive in the wild. I think I ended up reading my son the entire box. Each box also contains a real animal picture (we got the Panda, much to my daughter’s excitement), and tells parents and children about Animal Planet’s R.O.A.R. program (Reach out, Act, and Respond).

Look for Wild Animal Crunch in your grocery store today or visit the Kellogg’s Web site for more information. You can also visit Animal Planet’s Web site for more information on their R.O.A.R. program.

A Plumm Summer is a great family film!

A Plumm Summer is a new family film based on a true story in 1960’s Montana, where a well-loved TV puppet, FroggyDoo, gets stolen during a live show. The outcry of Montana families spur an FBI investigation, but the children of the small town race to solve the mystery on their own. A Plumm Summer is the winner of the Audience Best Film Award at the International Family Film Festival, and stars Henry Winkler, Billy Baldwin, Jeff Daniels, Brenda Strong and Chris J. Kelly.

We really enjoyed this movie as a family. Even though I will always think of Henry Winkler as The Fonz, I love him in just about anything. The child actors in this movie are very talented, particularly Chris J. Kelly who plays teenage Elliott – the junior detective trying to find Froggy Doo. Elliott captures teenage angst in all its glory as he tries to win the affection of the girl next door, be a hero for his little brother, and gain the respect he deserves from his alcoholic father.

My husband and I sat down to watch a DVD screener of the movie, and I asked my 5-year-old if he wanted to watch it too. He scoffed a little bit because anything that’s not animated is considered “a grown-up movie” in his mind. However, by the end of the movie, he was sitting right in front of the TV asking, “Do you think they’re going to find the frog?!”

There were a few tense moments mostly related to the dysfunctional family dynamic that my son didn’t quite understand, but he seemed to love the overall story of a group of kids in search of Froggy Doo. It’s always nice to be a be able to sit down and watch a movie with my child and not have to worry about violence, language or sex – none of which you have to worry about in A Plumm Summer.

A Plumm Summer opens April 25th in a limited release in the following areas around the country:

* California: LA and surrounding areas
* Alabama: Birmingham, Trussville
* Minnesota: Oakdale, Lakeville, Eagan
* Montana: Billings, Bozeman, Kalispel, Livingston or Missoula

Support independent films! If A Plumm Summer is opening near you, I hope you will see this heart-warming family movie. Visit the official Web site for more information about the movie, and view the trailer below:

Special K Bliss Bars make a yummy snack!

Dude! When I get chocolate in the mail, it is officially a good day! Yesterday, the folks at Kellogg’s sent me samples of their newest treat, Special K Bliss Bars (along with a lovely canvas bag).

Special K Bliss Bars come in two flavors, chocolate-dipped raspberry and chocolate-dipped orange. The bars are a combination of fruit-flavored pieces, crispy cereal and a chocolatey bottom layer. Plus, they are only 90 calories! (Holla!)

Now, for the all-important question – how do they taste?? I really liked the chocolate-dipped raspberry Special K Bliss Bars. I am a big fan of raspberry, and this had a nice flavor to it. The raspberry flavor was tasty without being overwhelming, and you had that bottom layer of chocolate, which was great. My only complaint on these is that I wish they were bigger! But at 90 calories, one Bliss Bar makes a perfect snack (or a really quick grab-and-go breakfast), especially if you have a big sweet tooth, like me. I always love a snack where I can satisfy that sweet craving but not have the guilt!

I also really liked the fact that it was something different. If you search down the aisle of cereal bars in the local grocery store, you won’t find anything else like these.

Now, I should touch on the chocolate-dipped orange Special K Bliss Bars. Let me preface this by saying that I’m really not a fan of orange anything, so I don’t know that I’m the best judge. I just thought that the orange flavor seemed overpowering. It wasn’t subtle like the raspberry bars, so I didn’t really care for them. My husband, however, absolutely loves anything orange, and he thought the orange Bliss Bars were out of this world!

My kids seem to enjoy both flavors. I use these to trick the kids. I ask, “Would you like to try one of mommy’s new ‘candy bars’?” That’s all I really need to say for them to jump on it. Both of the children just seemed to love them!

The Special K Bliss Bars should be available in stores near you today. You can also go to the Kellogg’s Web site to learn more and to check out more nutritional information about the Bliss Bars.

Mamma Mia Contest - Win a London trip!!

I have seen Mamma Mia three times on stage, and I am sooo excited for the movie to come out this summer starring Meryl Streep. It is going to rock! I am thrilled to tell you about the Mamma Mia contest that is being sponsored by Pond’s!

How many times have you stood in front of a mirror or on a karaoke stage or in your car for that matter and belted out Dancing Queen or Mamma Mia? Well, now is your chance to use those talents to win a lavish trip to London!

Women ages 40 and older are invited to form a singing trio and perform their own take on Mamma Mia or Dancing Queen! Then submit a video of your trio’s performance via the Pond’s Web site! The Pond’s Web site also has complete music and lyrics for both classic songs that you can download to rehearse.

It’s like American Idol for adults who just love the music from Mamma Mia! If you have two friends who you think will help you make a great trio, and a digital camcorder, you’re ready to go!

The winners of the contest will win a luxurious trip to London to live the life of three dynamos at the world premiere of Mamma Mia! Visit the Pond’s Web site for more information!

Don’t delay! The deadline for submissions is April 30th, so grab your friends, pull out your camcorder and start belting out those tunes. Maybe you will soon be on your way to London! Good luck!!

Get rid of lice with Lice M.D.

I don’t know about you, but I seem to remember vividly the times when there were cases of lice running rampant throughout our grade school. If one child had it, it wasn’t long before those little buggers jumped from head to head to head. And if you got lice, you were screwed because in third grade the only thing that brought down your social standing more than lice was a bad case of coodies.

Although there’s still no cure for coodies, lice can be taken care of quickly and easily with Lice M.D. The kind folks at Mom Central sent me a free sample of Lice M.D., and although we’re not currently experiencing a lice problem, I am pleased to have this on hand since my son starts kindergarten in the fall.

Lord only knows what they used to spread on our heads in the 70’s, but now Lice M.D. provides an effective remedy that is pesticide-free and eliminates lice in three easy steps without pulling your child’s hair out. With Lice M.D., you can take control of your lice problem before it takes control of you and your household.

Lice M.D. is clinically tested by pediatricians and proven to be effective at eliminating lice, eggs and nits. Plus, Lice M.D. uses a synthetic lubricant which makes it easy to comb through hair – almost like a conditioner!

You can apply Lice M.D. in three simple steps to eliminate your lice problem. First, apply it to dry hair, then wait 10 minutes. Next, section and comb the hair (with Lice M.D. still in it) to remove lice, eggs and nits. Third, shampoo hair regularly with shampoo and warm water. It’s as simple as that!!

Visit the Lice M.D. Web site to learn more about this wonderful product and watch their product video. Trust me, if you have kids in grade school, this is something you should definitely keep on hand as a staple. The Lice M.D. Web site offers more product info as well as testimonials, additional resources, and printable coupons for Lice M.D.!

Dare to Wear White

Dare to Wear White and Earn a $10 Amazon Gift Card!

After reading this post, if you feel this issue is something you struggle with, be one of the first to answer a survey and earn an Amazon gift card!

Heavy periods are a problem that many women struggle with. Out of 1300 women surveyed by Mom Central, here are key issues that were discovered:
· 75% of women reported that their heavy periods negatively impact their quality of life by disrupting their family and social life, regular activities, and moods. · Almost 60% said that their periods negatively affect their sexual relationships. · And what's worse, more than 50% of women with heavy periods said that they dread leaving the house on their worst days.

Heavy periods can be caused by many reasons including polyps, fibroids, pre-cancerous or cancerous changes in the uterine lining, adenomyosis, or a thyroid imbalance, to name a few. There are several tests that can be performed to determine what exactly is causing your heavy periods, but the important thing to know is that you don’t have to live with this any longer!

There is now something that can be done about heavy periods! For women with heavy periods who have completed childbearing, there is a non-hormonal, one-time minimally invasive procedure that typically takes less than five minutes to complete and can eliminate heavy periods - the NovaSure® Endometrial Ablation System.

In clinical trials, more than 9 out of 10 women who had the NovaSure procedure returned lower levels of bleeding, and 40% of women had no periods at all. NovaSure is an outpatient procedure that can be done in a doctor’s office without general anesthesia. It is a safe, simple and effective solution for heavy bleeding.

I encourage all women who suffer from heavy periods to look at www.DaretoWearWhite.com. You will find that you are not alone. On this Web site, you can ask questions, share your experiences and feelings and learn more about treatment options. You can also request a brochure to learn more information about the NovaSure procedure.

If you are suffer from heavy periods AND are done having children, please take the NovaSure survey. The first 250 eligible women who complete the short survey will receive a $10 Amazon gift certificate as a thank you for their participation.

New Flipsides Rock!

Out of all the free stuff I have received while blogging, this may be the best thing yet! The folks at Mom Central and Kellogg Company sent me a box of the new Town House Flipsides Pretzel Crackers. These unique crackers have just been introduced to the retail market, so you may have seen these at your local grocery store already. Flipsides are a cracker on one side and a pretzel on the other side. Oh yeah, baby! What’s better than having two of your favorite snacks in one bite?!

When I received these, I thought, “Oh, these will be a great snack for the kids.” I was right on that point – the kids really liked them. Then Eric and I tasted them. Oh. My. God. YUM! We received the cheddar-flavored Flipsides, and they are so good! I went out and bought some of my favorite beer cheese dip, which was AWESOME with these crackers. We received our box of Flipsides on Saturday, and Eric and I snarfed them down so fast, they were gone the next day. I’m not proud of myself, but hey, it’s better than snarfing down a bag of peanut M&M’s, right?

The only complaint I had about the FlipSides is that they broke easily, and there were a lot of broken crackers in the box. That’s not a big deal to me because they taste great, and we were eating them right out of the box. However, if you’re putting them on a serving plate at parties, it’s nicer to display whole crackers rather than cracker pieces, which is what the last third of the box consisted of. Again, not a big deal to me, but it’s something I thought I should point out.

I hope you all will check out these delicious pretzel crackers. The crackers are great for a light snack, kids’ lunches or to serve with your favorite dip or cheese spread. I already have them on my grocery list for when I go to the store. I think I’ll be buying more than one box so they last me a little bit longer.

For more information about the new Town House Flipsides Pretzel Crackers, visit the Kellogg’s Web site, and look for the new Flipsides at a grocery store near you today!!

Giftventure Special!

Personally, I get tired of giving my children gifts only to have them ripped open in two seconds. Isn’t the whole savoring of anticipation thing supposed to be the best part? Anyway, I wanted to do something that was more special, and I have something new for everyone to try out.

The kind folks at Mom Central hooked me up with Giftventure. Giftventure is a way to make gift giving more special, and make it last longer so the gift-giving process lasts longer.

Giftventure is a personalized treasure hunt for your child! At Giftventure.com, you choose the Giftventure package you are most interested in. We chose The Treasure Map Adventure. First, you hide a gift around your house, such as in the back of your closet or your nightstand – someplace your child won’t find it until the right time. Then, you enter a few personal details into the Giftventure.com site.

Giftventure prints out and mails to your child a series of personalized letters and puzzles that, when solved, lead to the location you typed into the Web site. Your child receives the personalized letters from a fictional character – we chose Percy the Pirate – and each letter and puzzle is personalized with the details you entered. Over the course of the week, your child will receive three letters and has to piece together the clues. The final letter will direct your child to the secret hiding place of the gift.

Eli absolutely loved this. He’s only 5, so I had to help him with reading the clues, but he thought it was the coolest thing ever, and he filled out the treasure map all by himself. When he finally found his gift (Toy Story 2 DVD), I don’t think he was as excited by that as he was with the whole Treasure Hunt adventure. He keeps asking when Pirate Percy is going to send him another letter.

Giftventure is perfect for Easter, Christmas, birthdays, or any holiday or occasion you want. We did our little treasure hunt just for fun, and it was a special treat for the kids, who had a great time figuring out the clues!

Now, here is the special! For Easter, Giftventure is offering 10% off the list price (19.95) to all my blog readers – that’s you!! All you have to do is visit their Web site and enter promo code momcentral when placing your order. If you sign up by March 14, you will also get reduced shipping!

Visit Giftventure today to learn more about the different packages they have to choose from for kids of all ages!

Pop Tarts - Yum-o!

Is there anything better than when your one of your favorite treats becomes a health food? I don’t think there is!! Kellogg's just introduced its new Whole Grain Pop-Tarts! And the kind folks at Mom Central and Kellogg Company sent two boxes for my kids and me to try. Oh yeah, baby!

We received a box of the Whole Grain Strawberry Pop-Tarts and a box of the Whole Grain Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tarts. When I was little, I couldn’t seem to get enough sugar and I just used to lick the icing off the tops of Pop-Tarts before eating them. Eventually I stopped eating Pop-Tarts because as I got older, I thought they were too sweet.

Well, the Whole Grain Pop-Tarts are perfect. They aren’t covered with the sugary icing, they just they just have icing drizzled over the top, so it’s not as overpowering. The inside of the Pop Tart has a nice strong flavor, which I think tastes way better than the generic equivalents.

You can tell the Pop-Tart is whole grain because it looks whole grain, but that part doesn’t taste any different to me than the regular Pop-Tart. If anything, I thought it was a softer consistency and not as “hard” as a regular Pop-Tart.

Now, here is the best part – my kids LOVED them!! Woo hoo!! They are huge fans of Pop-Tarts. They never want them toasted, and just eat them cold. As soon as they saw me putting these in the pantry, they screamed “I WANT ONE! I WANT ONE!” Eli prefers the Brown Sugar Cinnamon, and Georgia is a girl after my own heart – she loves the Strawberry. It’s very satisfying to watch my kids happily eating something they think is a treat and knowing they are getting fiber and 16 grams of whole grains. I almost feel like I’m tricking them. Muwahahahaha!

I will definitely keep buying the Whole Grain Pop-Tarts. They get a big thumbs up from me because they are so tasty and not as sweet. Plus anytime I can get my kids to eat anything that’s remotely good for them, I am all over it!

Check out Kellogg’s Web site for more information on the Whole Grain Pop-Tarts, and look for them at a store near you!

Baby Einstein: Baby's First Moves Review

Recently, the folks at Mom Central sent me the new Baby Einstein DVD – Baby’s First Moves. My 2-year-old daughter, Georgia, has always loved the Baby Einstein DVDs, so I was excited for a new one.

Now, to be perfectly honest, I never quite got the Baby Einstein DVDs myself. I remember when Eli was little and someone gave me Baby Mozart. It seriously looked like someone sat in their basement, dropped some acid and made a video. Then again, that’s the feeling I get from a lot of kid’s shows. But I digress.

As much as I don’t get it, my kids (especially Georgia) absolutely LOVE Baby Einstein. They sit in front of the TV completely transfixed whenever I turn it on. It’s amazing.

The Baby Einstein DVDs are an interactive way for parents to connect with their children, engage their babies, and create moments of discovery together. Baby’s First Moves is a great DVD for children developing those gross motor skills, such as walking, running, clapping, and dancing (my daughter’s favorite thing to do). This DVD helps children develop those moves and helps parents work with their babies so they can develop physical strength and self-confidence.

My 2-year-old did express interest in this DVD because she LOVES watching babies. But I would say that if you have a child under 18 months, Baby’s First Moves is perfect for you. I lent this DVD to my best friend yesterday, and her 8-month-old began imitating the babies and really getting into it. He loves it!!

I know there has been a lot of discussion in the news about whether or not young children should watch TV. I am all for it. I think that educational programming like those featured on Noggin, and educational videos like Baby Einstein, have had a huge effect on my children. It amazes me how early they learned colors, numbers, shapes, animals, and how to speak Spanish just from watching educational programming.

If you have young kids, and you haven’t checked out Baby Einstein yet, run to the store or visit their Web site at http://www.babyeinstein.com/ to see their complete line of videos and DVDs, and to learn more about the parent/child interaction campaign.

Baby’s First Moves is perfect for little ones and gives you ideas of activities you can do with your baby. You will love it and so will your child!